Boat-propelling means



Dec. 3, 1929.

M. W. 'WEIR BOAT PROPELLING MEANS Filed March 1928 INVENTOR N Max W pl/e 'g'r *4 BY ATTORNEY E55: 522:2; i *N \uN o N a aw Na 3 3 3 Patented lflec. 3, 1929 MAX W. WEIR, OF NEWARK, NEW JERSEY BOAT-PROIPELLING MEANS Application filed March 2,

lhis invention relates to watercraft and has particular reference to an ii proved propolling means therefor.

Primarily the invention comprehends a means for effecting the propulsion of a boat, hydroplane, or other watercraft which permits of their navigation in shallow water or in water containing weeds, grasses or other growths which tend to foul the usual type of propellers.

The invention further contemplates an improved propelling means which in addition to functioning as means for propel ing the watercraftover the water, may serve as a means for moving the same over sandbars and shoals, as well as over dry land.

More specifically, the invention embodies one or more pairs of rotatably driven disclilre propeller members, the members of each pair of which are set at a lateral angle and oppositely inclined with respect to each other, so that only half or less of the area of each member is in direct operating contact with the water.

The invention furthermore contemplates a suitable driving mechanism including a prime mover having a variable speed transmission with a reverse drive installed between the same and the propeller members in addition no to means for varying the relative speed of the members disposed at the opposite sides of the craft for steering the same.

With the above recited and other objects in View, reference is had to the following description and accompanying drawings in which there is exhibited examples or embodiments of the invention, while the appended claims define the actual scope of the inven tion.

in the drawings+ Figure lis a top plan view of a boat equipped with a propelling means constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional View ill thereof taken approximately on the line indicated at 2-2 in Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken approximately on the line indicated at 38 in Figure 1;

Figure 4L- is a fragmentary longitudinal see- 1928. Serial No. 258,566.

tional view of a slightly modified adaptation of the invention;

Figure 5 is a fragmentary transverse sectional view of a further modified form of the invention.

Referring to the drawings by characters of .erenCe. l0 designates the hull of the vessel or boat which is of any suitable construction and which for the purpose of the present invention is essentially provided with a recess 11 in its under side.

The propelling means consists of one or more pairs of laterally spaced disk-like propeller members l212. In the present instance two pairs of said propellers are illustrated and each of the propellers are attached to or otherwise provided with a shaft 13 disposed at a right angle to the plane of the propeller. The propellers of each pair are disposed at a lateral angle with respect to the path of movement of the craft, and at an opposite inclination with respect to each other. The propeller members are also disposed in such a manner that a half or less of the area of each is immersed in the water, while the remaining portion of the area of each is disposed out of direct operating or actuating contact therewith. As illustrated, the propeller shafts extend through suitable bearings 14 carried by the hull, and the shafts of the propellers on each side of the boat are operatively connected with a transverse drive shaft 15. As illustrated, the propellers 12 of each side have their shafts 13 respectively connected for turning movement in the same direction by beveled gears 16 and pinions 17 on a longitudinal shaft 18. which is in turn connected by a beveled pinion 19 and gear 20 with the transverse shaft 15. In practice the propeller discs will be disposed under or partially under the hull with the unsubmerged portions extending into the recess 11 from which the water may be excluded in any desired manner such as by forcing air into the recess. This may be accomplished by air compressor 21 which introduces air under pressure to the recess through a suit able conduit 22 extending into the same. A suitable inotor or prime mover 43 mounted within the hull and provided with a variable speed transmission 24 having a reverse drive operates r turns the propeller shaft 25,

a which is o eratively connected with the transthrough the medium of brake drums 27 and brake. bands or shoes 28 which are actuated by a suitable hand manipulating wheel 29.

i In operation, the discs or propellerslQ on the left of the craft are turned in the direction indicated by the arrows, while the discs or propellers 12 on the right side of the craft are turned in an. opposite direction as indicated by the arrows, it being obvious that the friction exerted by the discs on the water will effect a forward movement of the craft in the direction indicated by the arrows. It is also apparent that the propelling means offers no resistance to. the forward motion of thecraft and that due to the angular disposition of the same the propeller discs serve as a means for moving the vessel over sandbars, shoals or dry land.

If. desired, one pair of discsmay revolve free ofthe power plant and receive motion only from contact with the water, shoals, dry land or any other medium over or through which the vessel is moved.

When it is desired to turn or steer the boat application of a braking force upon a section of the transverse shaft 15 on the side of the craft in the direction which the turn is to be made is caused by retarding speed of rotation of the propellers on said side. While the steering of the vessel in this manner is suggested, it'is, of course, to be understood that other methods or steering apparatus now 'in common use maybe adopted without departing from the spirit of the invention.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 4, the disc or propeller 12fis disposed at a fore-and-aft angle, the

same being inclined upwardly and forwardly for the purpose of obtaining a lifting action of the craft in the water, thereby tending to decrease the draft of the vessel.

In the modified form of the invention illustrated in Figure 5 the disc or propeller 12 has the major portion of its area disposed within a pocket 11 formed in the hull 10". This eliminates the necessity of the recess on the under side of the hull and the consequent employment of means for forcing the, water out of the recess. In this form of the invention only that portion which is less than onehalf of the area of the propeller disc 12 is disposed in operating contact with the water.

I claim:

1. A boat propelling means including a flat disk-like member disposed at a lateral angle to the path of movement of the boat and having at least half of its area out of direct operating contact with the water.

2. A boat propelling means including a pair of laterally spaced flat disk-like members each disposed at a lateral inclination with respect to the path of movement of the boat, and each having at least half of its area'- out of direct operating contact with the water.

3. A boat propelling means including a pair of laterally spaced flat disk-like members each disposed at a lateral inclination to the path of movement of the boat and at relatively different inclinations, and each having at least half of its area out of operating contact with the water.

4;. A boat propelling means including a pair of laterally spaced flat disk-like members each disposed at a lateral inclination with respect to the path of movement of the boat and each having at least half of its area out of direct operating contact with the water, and means for imparting opposite rotation to said members for driving said members at the same rate of speed.

5. A boat propelling means including a Jair of laterally spaced flat disk-like memcrs each disposed at a lateral inclination with respect to the path of movement of the boat and each having at least half of its area out of direct operating contact with the water, means for imparting rotation to said members for driving the members at the same rate of speed, and means for selectively retarding the rotation of either of said members for steering the craft.

6. A boat propelling means comprising in combination with a hull having a recess on itsunder surface and means for displacing the water from said recess, of a pair of laterally spaced flat dislclike members disposed at an inclination to the path of movement of the boat and each having at least half of its area arranged within the recess whereby not more than half of the same is in direct operating contact with the water.

7 A boat propelling means, including a flat disc-like member having at least one-half of its area out of direct operating contact with the water, said member being disposed at a fore-and-aft inclination.

8. A boat propelling means, including a flat disc-like member having at least one-half of its area out of direct operating contact with the water, said member being disposed at a fore-andaft inclination and inclined upwardly and forwardly for the purpose specified.

9. A boat propelling means including a flat disc like member disposed at a lateral angle to the path of movement of the boat and adapted when the boat attains a predetermined speed to have a portion of its area out of direct operating contact with the water.

10. A boat propelling means including a fiat disk-lilre member disposed at a fore and aft angle to the path of movement of the boat and adapted when the boat attains a predetermined speed to have a portion of its area out of direct operating contact with the water.

11. A boat propelling means including a Hat diskdike member disposed at a lateral and tore and aft angle to the path of movement of the boat and adapted when the boat attains a predetermined speed to have a portion of its area out of direct operating contact with the water.

Signed at New York in the county of New York, and State of New York this 29th day of February A. D. 1928.

MAX W. WEIR. 

